Promise Christian Academy Visits SBU Campus and Robotics Team |

On April 12, 29 middle-school students and their chaperones from Promise Christian Academy (PCA), a school based in Queens, NY, came to Stony Brook University to learn about robotics and to explore the campus.

Members from the Stony Brook Robotics Team (SBRT) presented to the students about their club and their role at the University. After learning about the various fields of engineering and science that are required to effectively build a robot, the students participated in an interactive electrical engineering activity.

“I thought it would be a great way to expose middle-school students to electronics and robotics at this age,” said Lily Li from the Robotics Team. “I would have appreciated such an experience if I had the chance to back in middle school.”

The project was to use a light-emitting diode (LED), battery, copper tape and other components to create an electrical circuit with a current strong enough.

“I enjoyed making the circuit the most because I always wanted to create something. I will be in a robotics team in high school so that was a good introduction,” said eighth grader Karen Abigail.

The students then took a brief tour of the campus as they headed to East Side Dining. Following lunch, the group visited the Charles B. Wang Center to view the exhibit, “The Studio: Through a Surrealistic Lens.”

“The Robotics Team went above and beyond to welcome our students and teach some engineering concepts that are needed to understand the process of building robots,” said Erica Tringali, PCA School Counselor and Technology Teacher. “The Community Relations Team planned a day full of new experiences, fun activities and great food. Our students will remember this trip for years to come, and hopefully some will follow in the footsteps of their families and one day attend Stony Brook University.”

The program was coordinated by Promise Christian Academy, Stony Brook Robotics Team and Stony Brook University’s Office of Community Relations. Volunteers from the SBRT included Software Team Lead and President-elect Prangon Ghose, a sophomore studying Computer Engineering; Electrical Team Lead-elect Lily Li, a freshman studying Computer Engineering; Member Adama Gamby, a sophomore studying Electrical Engineering and Mathematics; and Member Dorothy Lee, a freshman studying Electrical Engineering.

— Cohen Miles-Rath, Community Relations